Peter Obi and former Deputy Senate President Ovie Omo-Agege on Thursday joined the New Democratic Congress (NDC) governorship candidate in Delta State, Deacon Chris Iyovwaye, to inaugurate his 2027 campaign headquarters in Asaba.

The event also attracted the party’s Delta North senatorial candidate, Victor Ochei; Delta South candidate, Adowei Binaebi; party leaders, stakeholders and supporters.

Iyovwaye said the headquarters would coordinate the campaign’s statewide consultations, policy development and grassroots mobilisation ahead of the 2027 elections.

He said his campaign would focus on security, healthcare, transportation and housing, with the aim of improving the welfare and economic prospects of Deltans.

“If you have governance where there is no value addition to the life and welfare of the people, it cannot be governance,” Iyovwaye said.

He added: “If you look at all the parameters that make for quality living — security, healthcare, transportation and housing — those are the critical areas we want to address so that the quality of life of every Deltan is enhanced.”

On endorsements of the incumbent administration by some traditional rulers and elite groups, Iyovwaye said such endorsements would not determine the outcome of the 2027 election.

“For us, it is the people that will speak in 2027,” he said.

“One constant denominator in our political history is that elite endorsements do not guarantee electoral victory. Traditional rulers have just one vote themselves. The people of Delta State will decide their own future at the ballot box.”

Omo-Agege identified power supply, unemployment and healthcare among the issues requiring attention in Delta State and pledged support for the NDC candidates.

He also promised that the party would work to protect its votes during the election, saying the NDC was targeting all three senatorial seats and a majority of the House of Representatives seats in the state.

Obi, who spoke at the inauguration, backed the Delta campaign and called for accountable leadership and greater transparency in the management of public resources.

He said citizens should be able to track how government funds are spent, while stressing the need to move Nigeria from consumption to production.

On infrastructure in the Niger Delta, including the East-West Road, Obi said residents should benefit more directly from the resources generated from the region.

“The days you don’t see the impact of your wealth are gone,” he said.

He also called for reforms in healthcare and a reduction in medical tourism, saying an NDC administration would seek to improve hospitals in the region and make them functional.

The campaign headquarters is located along Dr Chimokwu Way, off Mariam Babangida Road, Asaba.

The Iyovwaye Campaign Council said it would use the facility to coordinate community engagements and town hall meetings across the state as it presents its governance proposals to voters ahead of the 2027 election.